SAINT CHARLES, MO.—It’s no secret that lights left on in unoccupied guestrooms is a leading source of energy waste. So common is the problem that many lodging properties lose thousands to tens of thousands of dollars off each of their bottom lines every year because of it. To combat this, Watt Stopper/Legrand has developed a line of card key switches that give hospitality facilities a simple way to save energy. The HS Series of switches enable or disable power to a select number of electric circuits and loads present inside guestrooms, eliminating the potential for this waste. These card...

PHILADELPHIA—Westinghouse Lighting Corporation’s Energy Star rated, aluminum reflector compact fluorescent lamps provide the lumen output and color of conventional halogen PAR lamps while reducing energy costs by up to $60* per lamp in restaurants, guestrooms, common areas, hallways, and lobbies. The CFLs’ solid aluminum reflector eliminates the pinholes and silver degradation typical of glass PAR lamps. The lamps feature a hard glass stippled lens that provides smooth, even light distribution without “hot spots” and striations characteristic of halogen reflectors. Featuring a color rendering index rating of 82, these lamps come in 3000 Kelvin to match the light of halogen and metal...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Telkonet as a Founding Sponsor. Telkonet, founded in 1999, specializes in advanced integrated solutions for broadband data networking and energy management, including its highly successful in-building powerline communications (PLC) technology. Headquartered in Germantown, Md., Telkonet has more than 140 employees and serves thousands of customers worldwide. In 2007, Telkonet acquired Smart Systems International, a leading technology manufacturer of in-room energy management systems. In addition to more than 80,000 hospitality installations, Telkonet’s solutions are distributed by energy services companies for power utilities’ energy efficiency programs, where qualified hotel owners...

NAPLES, FLA.—Industrial Nanotech Inc. announced the release of a new nanotechnology-based coating designed to provide energy savings and mold protection for residential and commercial buildings. Nansulate HomeProtect Interior, a white, tintable interior coating and Nansulate HomeProtect ClearCoat, a translucent, exterior coating, are the newest products added to the company’s current line of insulation and corrosion protection coatings designed for heavy industry. Nansulate HomeProtect Coatings inhibit the growth of mold without the use of poisonous moldicides. Industrial Nanotech’s coatings can be applied to the walls and attics in homes, office buildings, or commercial facilities in order to reduce energy consumption and...

NEW YORK—The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show may have seen its greenest collection of products in its history, as this year’s collection of exhibitors featured everything from towels with organic cotton and bamboo blends to touch-activated faucet systems that allow one to choose hot, warm or cold water with the touch of a button. Environmental concern was evident in exhibitor booth marketing as well, as vendors used green themes to catch attendees’ attention. The following are just some of the product announcement highlights from the show this past week. HD Supply rolled out its ideallygreen campaign, which emphasizes the environmental...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—The Grand Hyatt Dubai has converted its main water heating system from diesel oil-fired to solar powered in a bid to reduce climate change and running costs. With the UAE’s carbon footprint spiraling, causing the country to be one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide per capita in the world, the Grand Hyatt Dubai’s new solar panel heating system will reduce its own emissions dramatically. “This is the first commercial installation of its kind in the U.A.E., and probably the largest in the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” says Phil Barnett, Grand Hyatt Dubai’s director...

KINGWOOD, TEXAS—From the energy capital of the world in Houston comes a new and innovative software program to help individual users fight high energy costs and global warming. The software is TerraCuro, a Latin name-phrase which translates as “Earth Care” and is from a company of the same name. The company says the program is the most comprehensive of its kind, measuring more than two dozen energy and CO2 areas for household, travel and business uses, giving users powerful new insights to make better energy choices. The program then closely monitors improvements in energy use and CO2 generation. “It connects users...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts announced that it will install one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems in the country—and the largest system in the U.S. tourism industry—in Death Valley National Park, the sunniest place in the country. The one megawatt (MW) system will harness the sun’s energy to generate more than one-third of the annual electricity needs for Xanterra’s operations there, comprised of the Furnace Creek Inn, Ranch, golf course and employee offices and housing. Xanterra’s system in Death Valley will be one of the largest privately owned PV energy systems in the country, and easily the largest...

RIPON, WISC.—With its new IWF series of washer-extractors, IPSO continues to produce not only high-quality equipment, but machines that take a more environmentally friendly approach to laundry. This new energy- and water-efficient line includes 14-, 18-, 25-, 30-, 40-, 55- and 75-pound models. “We couldn’t be more excited about the IWF series and what it brings to the market,” says Dan Bowe, North American sales manager of IPSO USA. “From high-speed G-force extraction to inverter drives, these IWF models can help on-premises laundries save money. Best of all, laundries that add the washer-extractors are adopting a greener approach to operations.” The...

CHICAGO—For hotel developers in search of everything necessary to build smart, high performance buildings, Greenbuild was the place to be this week. Approximately 850 vendors offering everything from environmentally friendly cinder block to roofing materials to carpeting were on hand. The event, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, was held here in Chicago at McCormick Place. Here are just a few of the vendor announcement highlights: • As a part of its continued commitment to sustainable practices, Osram Sylvania announced its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program. By participating in Climate Leaders, Sylvania has pledged...